Dr Caitríona Breathnach, the Centre for Spoken Irish, gave three workshops to the attendees of 'Gaeilge agus Cultúr na nDéise 2024' ( The Language and Culture of The Déise) a summer course held at Coláiste na Rinne in Rinn Ó gCuanach in Co. Waterford last month (8 and 9 August 2024). The aim of the course is to give participants courage and confidence in speaking Irish and to inform them about the history and folklore of the area. People from the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada attended the course along Irish participants.

 

The materials used in the workshops included 'Scéalta agus Seanchas – Béaloideas agus cuimhní cinn ó Ghaeltacht na nDéise (Potatoes, Children and Seaweed – Forgotten tales of a coastal community in the Waterford Gaeltacht) by Áine Uí Fhoghlú (2019), 'An Linn Bhuí - Iris Gaeltacht na nDéise'; Number 1' (1997) and 'An Rábaire Bán' by Nióclás Tóibín (1928). Traditions relating to St Johns Eve, traditional Farming methods, the establishment of Coláiste na Rinne, folklore from An Sean Phobal (Old Parish) and the use of Gaelic script in books from the early 20 ^th century were among the topics discussed. 

The group very much enjoyed the three workshops, there was a great interest in the changes that have taken place in the vernacular of native speakers of this Gaeltacht over the last hundred years; particular reference was made to the challenges that face new speakers of Irish when they first encounter non-standardised Irish.